Vampire Double D’s (Desire and Death)

Just as in some of the other readings we have had, the characters in Interview With The Vampire all face internal desires that lead to death (not necessarily their own death though). The desire that they have is for blood, not specifically be for Eros, but it certainly appears that they are able to achieve love and ecstasy through their ability to kill. And of course, it appears that what they desire is rooted in what they lack.

Lestat is a prime example. He sought after Louis to fulfill his desire for a life of wealth and fortune, something he lacked in both his life and afterlife (except for what he was able to steal). Lestat was able to charm Louis into accepting his offer to become a vampire through his charm, physical beauty and an air of excitement. He offered Louis a “life” of death, precisely at the time in Louis’ life when he was welcoming death due to the pain and guilt he felt after the loss of his brother. They were able to fulfill each other’s needs, and therefore became partners for “life.”

The physical way in which Louis was converted into a vampire certainly is reminiscent of the Symposium. Lestat “laid” himself down next to Louis, their bodies touching one another creating an air of ecstasy between the two. But it wasn’t love that existed between them, it was the excitement of death that they both shared and found it one another. And the finale is when they drink each other’s blood. (That’s one way to swap fluids!)

And once converted, death itself becomes the epitome of happiness for the vampires. With each night, their thirst for blood results in a loss life, but killing is still the only thing that is able to quench their desire. Lestat needs specific qualities among his victims in order to be content, a young female beauty, an aristocratic male, etc., again people with qualities that he lacks. Louis, on the other hand, begins to value life in his “death” and prefers not to kill humans right away, desiring to preserve that what he now no longer possesses.

In the end, though, physical excitement and the thrill that killing gives the vampires, even Louis, prevails and each night is filled to the brim with desire…climaxing in death.